The official operation of the An-22 "Antei" in Russia was discontinued in 2024, but one of the machines took to the sky in 2025. It is likely that heavy military transport aircraft were still planned to be used for some time, the Technosphere of Russia publication concluded.
The publication recalled that by 2024, the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) had four An-22s in flight condition and two in conservation. They were based in the Tver region and belonged to the last batch of "Anteis" (modification An-22A) produced in 1975.
In fact, the machines worked for about 50 years, and maintaining their airworthiness in connection with real wear and tear raised many questions.
In September 2024, one of the aircraft remaining in flight condition performed its last flight and landed on a dirt runway in Aramil, after which it was put into storage.
Repairs are not carried out on machines being prepared for disposal. Thus, single "Anteis", obviously, still wanted to be used for some time. Why it was announced a year earlier about the complete cessation of the use of the type of aircraft is unclear.
The day before, on December 9, a An-22 transport aircraft crashed in the Furmanovsky district of the Ivanovo region. There were seven crew members on board.